Style and function: That's the aim of Motorola's new Digital Tattoo, which syncs with the Moto X smartphone to unlock the handset.

Just affix the tattoo to your body, and tap your device against it to unlock your smartphone and start making calls, sending texts, or earning Words With Friends points.

About the size of a nickel, the symbol is designed to blend into your skin (or other body art) and hold on for five days of showering, working out, and everyday wear and tear.

Moto X users in the U.S. can pick up a pack of 10 tattoosabout one month's supplyfor $9.99. But don't expect to mix and match; at launch, all Digital Tattoos come in the vortex design only. Several other designs are expected in the future.

Motorola suggests placing the sticker on your arm, about 2 inches away from the wrist. Then pull the tab off and apply pressure for 10 to 20 seconds.

Before tapping, ensure the display is unlocked and NFC is enabled. Via NFC technology, the Moto X will sync to the tattoo, meaning it won't take more than a light dab on your arm to open.

"It's another step in making it easier to unlock your phone on the go and keep your personal information safe," Motorola said in a blog post. "An average user takes 2.3 seconds to unlock their phone and does this about 39 times a daya process that some people find so inconvenient that they do not lock their phone at all."

But, since the sticker comes off as easily as an adhesive bandage, it could become prime real estate for thieves looking for quick access to your phone. Motorola has your security concerns under control, though.

According to retail partner VivaLnk's website, if someone steals a Digital Tattoo that's already been synced to your phone, just unpair it in your security settings. The snatcher will not be able to download your master pin, which is stored on the Moto X, not the Digital Tattoo.

Users can, however, sync up to five tattoos to one Moto X, so family and select friends can tap into your phone, or set their own tattoo to recognize multiple handsets.

In August, Motorola introduced the Skip, a thumb-sized clip that unlocks the Moto X with a simple tap. Clip it to your shirt sleeve, belt loop, glasses frame, or wherever it feels comfortable, and forget about misapplying your lock code.

The first of Motorola's "futuristic 'superpower-like' authentication methods," Skip was introduced during the 2013 D11 conference, where Regina Dugan talked about a new digital tattoo technology.

Samsung got a jump on Motorola with its self-adhesive, pre-programmed TecTile stickers, which allow users to tap their phone and complete a specific action like opening a website or switching to silent mode.

About the Author

Stephanie joined PCMag in May 2012, moving to New York City from Frederick, Md., where she worked for four years as a multimedia reporter at the second-largest daily newspaper in Maryland. She interned at Baltimore magazine and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (in the town of Indiana, in the state of Pennsylvania) with a degree in ... See Full Bio

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